Stay up to speed with the latest technology trends and products in the contracting field. https://www.pmmag.com/rss/2658-technology-for-contractors en-us bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) From its 1951 beginnings to its expansion into plumbing and investment in technology, education, and leadership, Supply House Times’ 2026 Supply House of the Year continues to evolve without losing sight of what drives the business: its clients. From its 1951 beginnings to its expansion into plumbing and investment in technology, education, and leadership, Supply House Times’ 2026 Supply House of the Year continues to evolve without losing sight of what drives the business: its clients.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107824 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107824-meet-the-2026-supply-house-of-the-year-charles-d-sheehy As temperatures drop, solvent-welded joints require longer set and cure times before pressure testing or being placed into service. Contractors should follow manufacturer guidance based on pipe size, temperature and operating pressure. As temperatures drop, solvent-welded joints require longer set and cure times before pressure testing or being placed into service. Contractors should follow manufacturer guidance based on pipe size, temperature and operating pressure.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107812 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107812-cold-weather-solvent-welding-a-complete-guide-for-contractors By understanding the benefits, limitations, and installation requirements of tankless technology, plumbing professionals can guide homeowners toward a water heating solution that aligns with their budget, lifestyle, and hot water demands. By understanding the benefits, limitations, and installation requirements of tankless technology, plumbing professionals can guide homeowners toward a water heating solution that aligns with their budget, lifestyle, and hot water demands.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107803 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107803-tankless-101-what-to-know-about-on-demand-water-heating bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) PHCP-PVF price increases slowed in October, with adjustments affecting select heating, geothermal, controls, and industrial product lines. See which manufacturers announced increases and when they take effect. PHCP-PVF price increases slowed in October, with adjustments affecting select heating, geothermal, controls, and industrial product lines. See which manufacturers announced increases and when they take effect.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107801 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:23 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107801-phcp-pvf-price-increases-october-2026 The current landscape with hydronics and heat pumps feels like an important time to adapt. Changing long-held opinions within the industry is not easy. The current landscape with hydronics and heat pumps feels like an important time to adapt. Changing long-held opinions within the industry is not easy.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107788 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107788-hydronic-and-heat-pump-hybrid-solution-presents-path-for-efficiency-progress ServiceTitan released its The Update: 2026 State of AI in the Trades report, revealing that contractors are increasingly focused on how to effectively implement AI and translate its productivity benefits into measurable business results. ServiceTitan released its The Update: 2026 State of AI in the Trades report, revealing that contractors are increasingly focused on how to effectively implement AI and translate its productivity benefits into measurable business results.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107786 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107786-servicetitan-report-contractors-shift-focus-to-ai-productivity AI can do more than offer advice. With the right business context, it can turn a consultant’s playbook into scripts, processes, and workflows a contractor can put to work. Here’s where AI can replace costly playbook work, and where human judgment still matters. AI can do more than offer advice. With the right business context, it can turn a consultant’s playbook into scripts, processes, and workflows a contractor can put to work. Here’s where AI can replace costly playbook work, and where human judgment still matters.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107780 Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:51:12 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107780-how-contractors-can-use-ai-to-avoid-a-9-500-consulting-bill baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) The PHCP-PVF industry has been fighting stereotypes for decades. Though the world seems to be coming around, and more people are recognizing the opportunities available in the trades, it hasn’t happened without a fight. And it certainly hasn’t happened overnight. That makes this contest, recognizing the people who decided to dedicate their careers — their life — to this industry, all the more important. The PHCP-PVF industry has been fighting stereotypes for decades. Though the world seems to be coming around, and more people are recognizing the opportunities available in the trades, it hasn’t happened without a fight. And it certainly hasn’t happened overnight. That makes this contest, recognizing the people who decided to dedicate their careers — their life — to this industry, all the more important.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107709 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:30:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107709-2026-next-gen-all-stars-top-40-under-40-phcp-pvf-professionals bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) Driven by curiosity and shaped by firsthand experiences with water scarcity, Patty Valdes is helping rethink how water systems are designed, while bringing the technical rigor to catch what others might miss. Driven by curiosity and shaped by firsthand experiences with water scarcity, Patty Valdes is helping rethink how water systems are designed, while bringing the technical rigor to catch what others might miss.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107757 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107757-2026-next-gen-all-star-patty-valdes baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Tyson Chen found his way into the trades through a chance meeting, but stayed for the people and the opportunity to help independent contractors use AI to improve customer service and grow their businesses. Tyson Chen found his way into the trades through a chance meeting, but stayed for the people and the opportunity to help independent contractors use AI to improve customer service and grow their businesses.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107753 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107753-2026-next-gen-all-star-apurva-shrivastava baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) From riding along in service trucks as a child to leading the family business, Adam Meny is carrying a plumbing legacy forward while creating opportunities for the next generation. From riding along in service trucks as a child to leading the family business, Adam Meny is carrying a plumbing legacy forward while creating opportunities for the next generation.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107749 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107749-2026-next-gen-all-star-adam-meny baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) One plumbing client introduced Jen McKee to the trades. Today, she’s helping home service businesses use social media to showcase their people, build customer trust, and tell the stories behind their brands. One plumbing client introduced Jen McKee to the trades. Today, she’s helping home service businesses use social media to showcase their people, build customer trust, and tell the stories behind their brands.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107747 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107747-2026-next-gen-all-star-jen-mckee bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) After nearly two decades in PHCP-PVF, Matthew Liber has learned that successful distribution comes down to more than having the right products. It takes technical knowledge, dependable service and relationships built to last. After nearly two decades in PHCP-PVF, Matthew Liber has learned that successful distribution comes down to more than having the right products. It takes technical knowledge, dependable service and relationships built to last.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107743 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107743-2026-next-gen-all-star-matthew-liber baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) New to PHCP-PVF but not to serving others, Matthew Hasley is building his career by expanding his product knowledge, solving client challenges, and helping the next generation of engineers and designers learn along the way. New to PHCP-PVF but not to serving others, Matthew Hasley is building his career by expanding his product knowledge, solving client challenges, and helping the next generation of engineers and designers learn along the way.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107737 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107737-2026-next-gen-all-star-matthew-hasley baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Chris DellaSala found his way into PHCP-PVF through family, but built his own career around solving customer problems, developing people, and helping Keystone Sales & Associates grow for the future. Chris DellaSala found his way into PHCP-PVF through family, but built his own career around solving customer problems, developing people, and helping Keystone Sales & Associates grow for the future.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107733 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107733-2026-next-gen-all-star-chris-dellasala baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) From an internship to leading operations in Central Texas, Ralph Cunningham has built his engineering career around teamwork, developing people and creating buildings designed to last for generations. From an internship to leading operations in Central Texas, Ralph Cunningham has built his engineering career around teamwork, developing people and creating buildings designed to last for generations.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107731 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107731-2026-next-gen-all-star-ralph-cunningham baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Tyson Chen found his way into the trades through a chance meeting, but stayed for the people and the opportunity to help independent contractors use AI to improve customer service and grow their businesses. Tyson Chen found his way into the trades through a chance meeting, but stayed for the people and the opportunity to help independent contractors use AI to improve customer service and grow their businesses.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107730 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107730-2026-next-gen-all-star-tyson-chen baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Curiosity about solving everyday problems drew Jose Camacho into PHCP-PVF, where he has built an eight-year career around innovative solutions, teamwork, and improving the systems people rely on every day. Curiosity about solving everyday problems drew Jose Camacho into PHCP-PVF, where he has built an eight-year career around innovative solutions, teamwork, and improving the systems people rely on every day.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107728 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107728-2026-next-gen-all-star-jose-camacho baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Drawing on his roots in the trades and experience building technology companies, Chris Buttenham is helping independent business owners share the value they’ve built with the employees who helped create it. Drawing on his roots in the trades and experience building technology companies, Chris Buttenham is helping independent business owners share the value they’ve built with the employees who helped create it.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107727 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107727-2026-next-gen-all-star-chris-buttenham baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) What started with an Indeed job ad became a mission for Taylor Bray, who is helping tackle the skilled labor shortage by creating new pathways into the plumbing industry. What started with an Indeed job ad became a mission for Taylor Bray, who is helping tackle the skilled labor shortage by creating new pathways into the plumbing industry.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107724 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107724-2026-next-gen-all-star-taylor-bray baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) From moving product to becoming a company shareholder, David Blair has built his PHCP-PVF career around problem-solving, operational improvements, and an appreciation for the essential work happening behind the walls. From moving product to becoming a company shareholder, David Blair has built his PHCP-PVF career around problem-solving, operational improvements, and an appreciation for the essential work happening behind the walls.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107722 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107722-2026-next-gen-all-star-david-blair Valuation begins with the owner's own books and operating data to establish what the company is worth today. Its agentic analysis then identifies the factors driving that value, benchmarks the business against peers and highlights the levers with the greatest potential impact. Valuation begins with the owner's own books and operating data to establish what the company is worth today. Its agentic analysis then identifies the factors driving that value, benchmarks the business against peers and highlights the levers with the greatest potential impact.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107716 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107716-reins-launches-valuation AI Service Advisor assessed $1.4 billion in maintenance spend during open beta, aiming to help fleets reduce time in the shop and avoid unnecessary costs. AI Service Advisor assessed $1.4 billion in maintenance spend during open beta, aiming to help fleets reduce time in the shop and avoid unnecessary costs.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107710 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 07:00:45 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107710-fleetio-expands-ai-service-advisor Wint's platform uses AI algorithms to analyze water data in commercial and industrial buildings in real time, giving facilities and risk teams precise visibility into where water is being used, wasted, or lost before damage occurs. Wint's platform uses AI algorithms to analyze water data in commercial and industrial buildings in real time, giving facilities and risk teams precise visibility into where water is being used, wasted, or lost before damage occurs. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107707 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107707-wint-raises-36-million-in-series-d-funding Tasked with protecting valuable artwork while controlling operating costs, the Tacoma Art Museum upgraded its heating system with Lochinvar Crest with Hellcat boilers. The retrofit has delivered energy savings of more than 10% while helping the nonprofit secure grant funding for the project. Tasked with protecting valuable artwork while controlling operating costs, the Tacoma Art Museum upgraded its heating system with Lochinvar Crest with Hellcat boilers. The retrofit has delivered energy savings of more than 10% while helping the nonprofit secure grant funding for the project.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107693 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107693-boiler-upgrade-helps-tacoma-art-museum-secure-grant-cut-costs bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) From common misconceptions to evolving technology, this episode explores what contractors need to know about backflow prevention, including inspections, repairs, replacements, codes, and selecting the right solutions. http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107664 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107664-understanding-backflow-prevention Backflow can compromise potable water systems and pose serious public health risks. Learn how the 2024 International Plumbing Code, proper backflow prevention, routine testing, and cross-connection control strategies work together to help protect drinking water. Backflow can compromise potable water systems and pose serious public health risks. Learn how the 2024 International Plumbing Code, proper backflow prevention, routine testing, and cross-connection control strategies work together to help protect drinking water.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107646 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107646-understanding-backflow-risks-regulations-and-prevention-measures bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) Data centers, AI infrastructure, and large commercial construction are fueling demand for industrial PVF products, even as tariffs, commodity volatility and labor shortages force manufacturers and distributors to rethink supply chain strategies. Data centers, AI infrastructure, and large commercial construction are fueling demand for industrial PVF products, even as tariffs, commodity volatility and labor shortages force manufacturers and distributors to rethink supply chain strategies.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107641 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107641-state-of-the-industrial-pvf-market-data-centers-drive-growth Plumbing is one of the largest and most essential specialty trades in construction, with the U.S. plumbing industry projected to reach $191.4 billion in 2026 and include roughly 129,000 businesses nationwide, according to IBISWorld. At the same time, the construction industry continues to face a major labor shortage, putting more pressure on contractors to do more with their existing teams. Plumbing is one of the largest and most essential specialty trades in construction, with the U.S. plumbing industry projected to reach $191.4 billion in 2026 and include roughly 129,000 businesses nationwide, according to IBISWorld. At the same time, the construction industry continues to face a major labor shortage, putting more pressure on contractors to do more with their existing teams. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107629 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107629-bobyard-launches-ai-takeoff-and-estimating-for-commercial-plumbing-contractors PPATEC’s course offerings are specifically tailored to train HVAC/R, energy industry, and hydronic technicians in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. PPA member companies contribute to coursework to help design training programs that offer students a direct, hands-on learning experience that results in strengthening the professional skills of their employees. PPATEC’s course offerings are specifically tailored to train HVAC/R, energy industry, and hydronic technicians in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. PPA member companies contribute to coursework to help design training programs that offer students a direct, hands-on learning experience that results in strengthening the professional skills of their employees.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107624 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107624-expanded-training-center-prepares-the-next-generation-of-technicians